Det 2, 3636 CCTW, Nellis AFB, Nv

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11 Desert Plants For Survival, Bushcraft & Primitive Skills- (Desert Bushcraft) On this adventure, I discuss 11 desert plants that have many bushcraft and survival uses, from food like cactus fruit and mesquite cakes, to primitive shelte...

Back in the day at Det 2, it was not unknown to do 3 SAREX's a day. A uncommon venue was a Mass SAREX. Mass SAREX's were a huge package consisting of a AWACs, C130 (King Bird), Fighter Cover (A10s / usually 2 to 5 each), Two Helo's (Huey's or CH53's) one as a Gun Ship and the other the Rescue Bird, Either a O2 or a OV10 as a FAC. During one such Mass SAREX, we experienced a bit of a shock. The CH53 we were in was around 40 to 50' above the ground moving along at a good clip doing its evasion insert with a full boat of folks. I was sitting up in the Jump Seat. The view out the front was quite impressive at that speed. All of a sudden, from behind us dropping directly down in our flight path at a distance that would cause envy from the Thunderbirds was a A10. Never forget reading the tail number as it swooped in just a few yards in front. Not more than 10 to 20 I would think. The AC was buffeted by it. To the credit of the crew members not one word was exchanged after viewing the close call. No one reported it. Any mission you walk away from is a good mission.

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Fighter Pilot: Operation Red Flag Red Flag is the final training exercise for pilots and their aircrews before being sent into actual combat. We follow John Stratton, a young American fighter...

James Robinson Risner

James Robinson "Robbie" Risner was a Brigadier General, fighter pilot in the United States Air Force, and a senior leader among U.S. prisoners of war during the Vietnam War.

Nickname(s):
Robbie

Born:
January 16, 1925, Mammoth Spring, Arkansas, U.S.

Died:
October 22, 2013, Bridgewater, Virginia, U.S.

Brigadier General Robinson Risner was vice commander of the USAF Tactical Fighter Weapons Center, Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. General Risner was born in Mammoth Spring, Ark., in 1925, and graduated from Central High School in Tulsa, Okla., in 1942.

He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps in April 1943 and attended flight training at Williams Field, Ariz., where he was awarded his pilot wings and a commission as second lieutenant in May 1944. He attended transition training and then flew P-38 and P-39 aircraft with the 30th Fighter Squadron in Panama. He was relieved from active duty in August 1946 and became a member of the Oklahoma Air National Guard as an F-51 pilot.

General Risner was recalled to active duty in February 1951 and assigned to the 185th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Will Rogers Field in Oklahoma City, Okla. He received training with the 185th Squadron in RF-80s at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C.

In May 1952 General Risner was assigned to the 336th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, 4th Fighter Wing, at Kimpo, Korea. While with the 336th Squadron, he flew more than 100 combat missions in F-86s against Mig-15s over North Korea. He is credited with eight enemy aircraft destroyed and became the 20th jet ace during the Korean War.

General Risner was assigned to the 50th Fighter Bomber Wing at Clovis Air Force Base, N.M., in March 1953 and became operations officer of the 81st Fighter Bomber Squadron. He flew F-86s with the 50th Wing to activate Hahn Air Base, Germany, where he became commander of the 81st Fighter Bomber Squadron in November 1954.

In July 1956 he was transferred to George Air Force Base, Calif., as operations officer of the 413th Fighter Wing. Subsequently he served as commander of the 34th Fighter-Day Squadron, also at George Air Force Base.

During his tour of duty at George Air Force Base, General Risner was selected to fly the Charles A. Lindberg Commemorative Flight from New York to Paris. Flying the F-100, he set a transatlantic speed record, covering the distance in 6 hours and 38 minutes.

From August 1960 to July 1961, he attended the Air War College at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala. He next served on the joint staff of the commander in chief, Pacific, in Hawaii.

In August 1964 General Risner was assigned as commander of the 67th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, where he flew the F-105 Thunderchief. While on temporary duty with the 67th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, he was shot down over North Vietnam in April 1965 and was rescued. General Risner was returned to duty and in September 1965 was shot down again over North Vietnam and captured.

While held prisoner in Hanoi, General Risner served first as the senior ranking officer and later as vice commander of the 4th Allied Prisoner-of-War Wing. He was repatriated in February 1973 and in July 1973 assigned to the 1st Tactical Fighter Wing, MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., where he became combat ready in the F-4.

General Risner was transferred to Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., as commander of the 832d Air Division in February 1974, and flew the F-111. He was assigned to his present position Aug. 1, 1975.

In November 1974, General Risner was initiated into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame for his achievements.

He is a command pilot. His military decorations and awards include the Air Force Cross with oak leaf cluster, Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star with oak leaf cluster, Distinguished Flying Cross with two oak leaf clusters, Bronze Star Medal with "V" device and oak leaf cluster, Air Medal with seven oak leaf clusters, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Purple Heart with three oak leaf clusters, Presidential Unit Citation Emblem, Air Force outstanding Unit Award Ribbon with two combat "V" devices, the Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon, and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with "V" device.

During the Vietnam War, Risner was a double recipient of the Air Force Cross, the second highest military decoration for valor that can be awarded to a member of the United States Air Force, awarded the first for valor in aerial combat and the second for gallantry as a prisoner of war of the North Vietnamese for more than seven years. He was the first living recipient of the medal.

Risner became an ace in the Korean War and commanded a squadron of F-105 Thunderchiefs in the first missions of Operation Rolling Thunder in 1965. He flew a combined 163 combat missions, was shot down twice, and was credited with destroying eight MiG-15s. Risner retired as a brigadier general in 1976.

At his death, Air Force Chief of Staff General Mark A. Welsh III observed: "Brig. Gen. James Robinson "Robbie" Risner was part of that legendary group who served in three wars, built an Air Force, and gave us an enduring example of courage and mission success... Today's Airmen know we stand on the shoulders of giants. One of 'em is 9 feet tall... and headed west in full afterburner."

He was promoted to the grade of brigadier general effective May 8, 1974, with date of rank May 5, 1974 at Nellis AFB, Nevada.

On one trip, we learned the Wing Commander would be flying into Las Vegas, renting a truck and driving up to the remote desert to view operations. Later that day, up the long dusty dirt road came this Toyota pickup. The Commander arrived wearing his uniform, light blue short sleeved shirt, dark blue pants, dress shoes, and garrison cap. I watched as he arrived and looking over at the approaching storm which was rapidly moving across the valley floor and sweeping over the nearby small mountain range, I could see the Commander was not prepared for what was heading our way. He arrived and was wanting to talk to one of the instructors and survivors but the storm was fast approaching. The wind kicked up, dirt flew, rain started, thunder and lightning, then hail and finally snow furies. In the middle of that off the Commander went, as fast as he could and drove away trying to beat the storm and not be caught in a washout somewhere in the desert. We soon received notice that we were authorized to buy any needed clothing for our situation off the local market, at Wing expense. Nice that. The weather in the desert can be unforgiving and quickly deteriorate at any time. Flash floods can happen with no sign of any rain nearby.

Detachment personnel 1979-1981. Left to right: SMSGT Walter E Watts NCOIC, Sgt Mick Moccia, TSGT Patrick McGourin, SSgt Charles "CC" Cunningham, SSgt Duane E Grubb, MSGT Charles A Johnson, SSGT John Sayler, SSGT Thomas Rogers, TSGT John JJ Johnson (Clerk), Major Vice (Detachment Commander).

The unofficial logo of Detachment 2, 3636CCTW

The mission of Red Flag in 1976 as provided to the Detachment.

Another metal plaque, with the Mission Statement for the Detachment. Notice the mission statement which never changed during the Detachments existence.